We have made
a lot of good friends along the way, and are pleased to share some of
their comments in regard to our project.

(A letter to the Editor of
the Anderson Herald Bulletin)

VIEWPOINT

BY RA Y REEDER

Of
the many letters I have submitted to this newspaper, this is the most important
and most meaningful to me.I am a
World War II Veteran and am very proud of my service.Andersonians Don McAllister, Hershel McCorkle, Jack Alexander and Steve
Crandall gave me the chance to tell of that service through the National
Veteranís Historical Archive, a non profit organization they formed to create
oral histories of American Veterans.

The
interview can be as long as two hours or as short as one wishes to make it.My interview was long because the interviewer, DonMcAllister, was so easy to talk to and I had a lot to say.They want the interview to present the Veteran as a person, not as a
warrior.

This
is an unusual undertaking and will create a very valuable resource for future
Americans.Just imagine future
Americans, searching for records on a Veteran who fought for our country being
able .to contact this Organization and finding an archive of that Veteran
telling of his or her service.Any
Veteran, from any war, who wishes to leave a legacy for those he or she will
leave behind should contact NVHA and volunteer for the interview.There is absolutely no cost or pressure involved because NVHA has nothing
to gain.NVHA even gives you a legal
contract that the rights to the interview remain with you and your heirs.

The
NVHA stressed that the Veteran might think his service was not noteworthy, but
every job done by any Veteran was a working part of the war effort.Others depended on that job being done.

This
is the most worthwhile move made by any group in Anderson in a very long time,
and I hope Andersonians will help promote it in every way.Do you have a Veteran you would like your children's children to be able
to hear tell of his service to our country?

Tell
your friends and family about this fine undertaking here in Anderson.Contact NVHA at 618 Phillips Dr, Anderson, IN 46012 or email at
nvha01@hotmail.com

Ray Reeder is an Anderson resident.

Various
nice emails:

Thank you both so, so very much for
interviewing my Grandpa. He really enjoyed talking to you, and Grandma said he
was so excited he couldn't go to sleep, so they just stayed awake talking for a
long time last night. This really means a lot to all of us. I am so eager to see
the tape, since I couldn't be downstairs much as I was entertaining Elena (I
didn't really want a jabbering 2 year old on the tape!) I'll be in touch as my
family figures out how many they want, etc. He is a brave man, and my heart just
swells with pride when I think of his courage working for our freedom. Again,
thank you so, so much for your ministry!

Michelle Fries

I would love to encourage all of you
to order the --"Interview of Noonon Holliman" from this man, Don
McAllister, it can be ordered in either a DVD or a VCR. I ordered the DVD for
$2;50 and I wouldn't take any price for the DVD. You will love it, a lot of it
is his family memories and then his memories of Pearl Harbor. The Interview was
done in 2002.

Love; Leola

Hello

My name is Tyler Carner and a little over a
month ago you interviewed my grandpa, Herb Carner in Anderson Indiana. I
just personally wanted to thank you for giving our family an opportunity to
forever remember the life and stories of my Grandfather. If you have not
heard he passed away about four weeks ago very shortly after you talked with
him. Had it not been for your interview much of his life would have never
been documented. He was a quiet guy who kept a lot of his thoughts and
stories to himself, but he really opened up to you guys. Our family will
cherish the tape and it will be passed on for many generations. Thank you.